There were winners and losers as always.
Final preseason games can often be mundane affairs. That wasn't the case where the Carolina Panthers were concerned during a highly encouraging outing at the Buffalo Bills.
Dave Canales picked up his first victory as head coach and the Panthers got some morale-boosting confidence before attention turns to their regular-season opener in Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints. This was also another important part of the team's assessment as they prepared themselves for some difficult conversations during final cuts.
Players cannot do any more now. They have to hope their efforts will be rewarded, but that won't be the case for everybody. Even those who make the initial 53-man roster might not survive for much longer with general manager Dan Morgan expected to be active on the waiver wire in the coming days.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are four winners and three losers from Carolina's preseason victory at the Bills.
Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers' preseason win at the Bills
Winner No. 1
Jack Plummer - Carolina Panthers QB
Jack Plummer's gone through a rollercoaster first offseason in the pros. He's made some outstanding throws with some terrible performances thrown in for good measure. It's hard to gauge what the Carolina Panthers have in the quarterback, but the undrafted free agent did his chances of sticking around on the practice squad a tremendous amount of good in Preseason Week 3.
Plummer got the majority of work once established starter Bryce Young's impressive first drive concluded. The signal-caller's performance was night and day to his NFL debut, displaying poise under center and making the right reads more often than not.
The former Purdue star completed 72.41 percent of his passes for 278 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a lofty passer rating of 125.4 as a result of his efforts. His confidence grew as the contest wore on and the player looked like he was enjoying his football for the first time.
This is a major positive from Plummer's perspective. Whether it's enough to change his fate with final cuts looming is another matter.
Loser No. 1
Eddy Pineiro - Carolina Panthers K
Eddy Pineiro's offseason has been dramatic. The Carolina Panthers weren't exactly thrilled by his decision to skip voluntary workouts, but the veteran did enough to oversee a challenge for his starting spot from undrafted free agent Harrison Mevis over training camp.
Pineiro's been inconsistent in the practices since. However, something else came up during Carolina's last preseason engagement against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
The former Florida star made his only field goal attempt from 45 yards, but Pineiro was kept out of the second half after suffering a hamstring issue. Dave Canales didn't seem too concerned, claiming it was merely erring on the side of caution rather than the veteran facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
Buffalo hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Carolina's kickers during the preseason. It was also the same venue where Zane Gonzalez went down and missed the entire 2022 campaign. Pineiro's complication will be something for the Panthers and its long-suffering fanbase to monitor with Week 1 at the forefront of their minds.
Winner No. 2
Jalen Coker - Carolina Panthers WR
Jalen Coker is a talented wide receiver. Playing at a small program and not possessing top-end speed meant he didn't hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers saw something in the player, giving him a solid guarantee on his contract to prise him away from other suitors when undrafted free agency began.
Coker's made some notable grabs over training camp. This hasn't come with any eye-catching production in the preseason before their game at the Buffalo Bills. Something the wideout rectified by making a lasting impression at the best possible time.
The former Holy Cross standout played with an added sense of urgency that was hard not to love. Coker finished the contest by bringing in all three of his targets for 55 receiving yards. This also included an exceptional touchdown grab from Jack Plummer.
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— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 24, 2024
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Whether this alters Coker's narrative remains to be seen. The competition for places is fierce in the wide receiver room, leaving the Panthers in a predicament. They'll know putting him on waivers means he might get picked up by another franchise. It's a precarious situation that those in power must manage carefully.
Loser No. 2
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
Plenty of Carolina Panthers' pass-catchers got decent work in during their preseason finale at the Buffalo Bills. Everyone from established veterans to undrafted free agents made plays - something which inspired confidence about the potential for offensive improvements when competitive action begins.
Xavier Legette fared differently. The first-round selection out of South Carolina didn't bring in his only target and worked with the second-string unit before going to the sideline. This left fans who wanted to see the wideout make a splash disappointed.
Legette was probably frustrated by his lack of involvement, but the Panthers are keeping the bigger picture in mind. He's dealt with some injury issues this offseason, so Carolina cannot afford to take unnecessary risks before unleashing the rookie in Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints.
Nobody should be panicking. Legette's got the physical profile to be an instant difference-maker if used correctly by head coach Dave Canales. His stuttering offseason on the health front and anonymous preseason contribution don't change that in the slightest.
Winner No. 3
Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Carolina Panthers WR/KR
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a versatile weapon who caught the eye when finally given opportunities during the 2023 season. The Panthers were right to give him another deal, but this came with no guarantees about extended involvement with a new regime coming into the fold.
Smith-Marsette's done well over the summer. Almost everyone else in the wide receiver room has too. Therefore, securing his roster status by flourishing as a kick returner was a primary goal for the Iowa product this offseason.
The former fifth-round pick showcased his progress in this key discipline at the Buffalo Bills. Smith-Marsette broke off a big return for 46 yards - one of the warmup game's most memorable highlights. He also managed to secure 13.5 yards per punt return on two attempts.
This should be enough for Smith-Marsette to find his way onto the initial 53-man roster. Nothing is set in stone, but the new NFL kickoff rules dictate the need for dependability. That's something he provides in abundance.
Loser No. 3
LaBryan Ray - Carolina Panthers DL
This time of year is about looking for clues as to how the coaching staff is perceiving things. The Carolina Panthers are no different, with plenty of depth chart statuses unknown until something is officially confirmed by general manager Dan Morgan in the coming days.
One tell appeared on the defensive line rotation at the Buffalo Bills in Preseason Week 3. Specifically, the battle between T.J. Smith and LaBryan Ray for a backup role behind the starting trio of Derrick Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, and Shy Tuttle.
Smith played early on but didn't get extended involvement. In contrast, Ray was on the field throughout the second half and deep into the contest. This is a sign that his place on the initial 53-man roster might not be so clear-cut.
Ray performed well on the defensive rotation when called upon last season. However, Smith's impressive offseason coupled with the continued development of Nick Thurman means his fate is hanging by a thread ahead of final cuts.
Winner No. 4
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
The anticipation was palpable as Bryce Young took the field for the first time this preseason. Dave Canales erred on the side of caution over his first two warmup games, but the need to get some live-fire reps into his quarterback before Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints was glaring after a torrid rookie campaign.
It was a small sample size as expected. Young was on the field for one series, but the signs were immensely encouraging despite going up against the Buffalo Bills' second and third-stringers.
Young led the Panthers on an impressive drive., He made some outstanding throws - most notably to Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. The former Alabama star rounded it off with a touchdown strike to Jordan Matthews.
Nobody is getting too carried away. At the same time, Young performance, pocket navigation, and freedom to improvize left most fans believing better days are ahead in 2024 and beyond.
This was a big step in the right direction for Young. What comes next is far more important.
